The 10 Greatest Music Award Acceptance Speeches of All Time

Music award ceremonies have a long history of iconic industry moments. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping acrobatic stunt or “I’ma let you finish,” we love tuning in to these once-a-year programs to catch a glimpse of the action. Plus, it’s cool to see who’s being recognized for their work. When accepting their awards, most musicians seem to stick to a methodical formula of thank yous. There are some, though, who have welcomed their accolades in unconventional ways, leaving their audience either stunned, in tears, or a combination of the two. From the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hilariously outlandish behavior at the VMAs to Yoko Ono’s heart-breaking words at the 1982 Grammys, we’ve looked back over music award show history to uncover the 10 greatest acceptance speeches of all time.